Dear Editor,

I just had to write because you really got me thinking after I read your ‘New Year, New You’ column in the December 30, 2009 “Powhatan Today.”  I imagine most people believe that librarians have read all the classics, or as you put it, the 100 greatest books of all time.  True, I was an English major and consequently read fine literature.  But I just want to point out that even Dickens’ novels started out as serials in magazines. 

So I want to congratulate you for proclaiming your right to read whatever you choose – garbage or not.  Let’s not call it a resolution since you decided to opt out of those this year, but we could make a pact to work together to stamp out book snobbery in 2010.  Personally I refer to my latest read in women’s fiction as brain candy, but as Shakespeare said in Romeo and Juliet, “What’s in a name?  That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.”

I know there are folks who have had their choice of reading materials looked down upon by friends and family.  2010 is a new decade and maybe it is time to stand up for the right to read a gripping mystery or an entertaining romance.  Even authors are jumping on this bandwagon.  Lauren Weinberger’s character Bette Robinson in Everyone worth Knowing is asked by her parents if she really reads romance novels and she says “Oh, but I do, and so do fifty million other people.”  Reading a book is one of the best experiences you can have in life and if you prefer to read a trendy bestseller over a “literary” choice, then that is a testament to your individuality. 

The library has all kinds of books, the classics and bestsellers.  So no ripping allowed on Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight.  Who knows, some day you might want to pick up Bram Stoker’s Dracula.  We aim to please and you can pick and choice what to take home and read. 

And finally, Ms. Roslyn, please don’t get upset when you come visit the library and have to walk right by a big book display about New Year’s resolutions. 
I promise not to make you read any of those books.
Regards,
Peggy Martin
Director
Powhatan Public Library